Nowhere is the difference between high-end new construction/remodeling clearer, than in laundry rooms. These once simple utilitarian spaces have become large, decorated rooms incorporating many great features. Features like drying racks, built-in ironing boards, craft areas, wrapping areas, offices, and mudrooms with gleaming machines. Today, we share some of our clients practical laundry room solutions.

Pull down drying rack. A pull-down drying rack is designed for drying delicates directly on the rack, or for drip drying clothing on hangers. The pictured rack is strategically located over the sink so no messy drips to clean up.

Hanging rod. A must for hanging clothes after removing them from the dryer or for drip drying clothing on hangers. Having the rod located above the sink is ideal. The drips from the clothing just fall right into the sink.

Cabinetry, cabinetry, cabinetry. Almost all of our clients want custom cabinetry in their laundry rooms. Featuring things like open shelving for frequently used products and supplies, and plenty of countertop space for folding.

Laundry basket storage. What better way to store your laundry baskets! When a client works with a custom cabinet maker, they are able to design the laundry room of their dreams.

Master bedroom closet laundry center. What’s more handy than a laundry center in your master bedroom closet. Think of all the steps you’ll save when it’s time to put away your clothes! The master bedroom laundry center shown, features a pull-out ironing board (disguised as a drawer), pull-out folding station and his and her pull-down hampers.

Pull-out ironing boards. Meet the pull-out ironing board, disguised as a drawer. It’s no longer necessary to take up wall-space to have the ironing board hidden away.

When it comes to a roof, knowing a few terms will help you talk to your roofer next time there’s a leak or you decide to reshingle. They’ll also help you discuss a remodel project that includes an addition, skylight or dormer. For the most part, these terms cover the principal parts of a roof and the openings we commonly find going through a roof — creating the possibility of leaks.

Two of the most basic and common roof types are the gable and hip. These are easy to build and economical. Because they shed water and snow easily, they’re well-suited to wet and cold climates around the world.

Aesthetically, gable roofs and hip roofs are quite different.

A gable roof wants to stress the vertical; it points upward to the sky. It’s identified by triangular gable ends and a single ridge between two sloping roof panels.

All four sides of a hip roof slope inward. Its lines stress the horizontal and float in parallel over the earth. These are important distinctions, because the way a house meets the earth and sky tells us a lot about its designer’s intent.

A few more basic roof parts are the ridge, rake and eave.

The ridge is the highest point where two roof planes meet and is generally going to be the highest part of the house. Because of its linear nature, a ridge is commonly referred to as a ridge line. The location of the ridge is important in many localities where there are height restrictions on building, as the height of a house is often measured from the ground to the ridge. For this reason, it’s important to know what the local restrictions are and how these will affect the design.

The rake is the angled element at the gable end of a roof and is composed of the trim and structure (rafters) that extend out from the house. The rake can be finished in a plain, simple manner or in a highly stylized and elaborate way.

The eave is that element of a roof that projects out from the wall of the house and consists of a soffit and fascia. The eave can either be close, or tight, to the wall of the house or quite a distance away. Since the primary function of the eave is to take rainwater away from the walls of the house, the farther out it is the better it can serve that function.

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More Homeowners Turning to Contemporary-Styled Bathrooms, According to NKBA Research

Members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association specify contemporary color schemes and freestanding tubs among top bathroom trends of 2017

KITCHEN & BATH INDUSTRY SHOW, ORLANDO (January 10, 2017) — As with kitchens, Contemporary and Transitional-styled bathrooms have overtaken Traditional in design preference, according to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends Report completed by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Based on this annual member survey, the NKBA expects to see the following top 10 overall bathroom trends this year:

Contemporary and Transitional-styled bathrooms have overtaken Traditional style preferences. Shaker style is gaining on Traditional, while Mid-Century Modern is emerging. Asian Fusion is a niche design, but design professionals who recommend it plan to do more of it in bathrooms.

Whites, off/whites and gray are by far the most popular bathroom color schemes. Blue is emerging, with younger design professionals leaning more towards violets and purples. Stainless steel is niche and emerging.

Linen storage cabinets and wood vanities are the most commonly used bathroom storage solutions. Floating vanities and open shelving are popular and increasing in popularity. Toilet topper cabinets are declining in demand.

Ceramic tile flooring is most popular, but high-quality vinyl appears to be emerging.

Undermount bathroom sinks are most desirable, with requests for vessel sinks continuing to wane, as well as pedestal sinks. Trough sinks are emerging.

More than half of NKBA members surveyed said they eliminated a tub or whirlpool in a bathroom remodel over the course of the past year. Yet half also specified a freestanding tub during that same period, and 60 percent expect to specify more of them in 2017. While tub/shower surrounds are maintained and updated when they already exist in a home, they are not being added to new bathrooms or completely remodeled bathrooms.

White fixtures are trending up, while bone/bisque colored fixtures are trending down. Brushed brass and gold are emerging faucet finishes; designer faucet colors, while still a niche, are emerging.

The most popular amenities for the bathroom are in the arena of safety and comfort: e.g., comfort heights, shower seats, lighting in showers and no-threshold showers. Emerging amenities are smart toilets, smart toilet seats, music in the shower, easy maintenance features, and radiant floor heating.

Water-saving toilets and faucets are becoming more mainstream.

Distributed video and audio and wiring pathways for future integration are still niche in the bathroom, but emerging.

According to respondents to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey, Contemporary and Transitional styles have overtaken Traditional in bathroom design preference. NKBA members reported that Shaker style is gaining on Traditional, while Mid-Century Modern is emerging.

Emphasizing the decline in traditional styling, one respondent went as far as to say that his clients are selecting “bold options for their bathroom. Homeowners are beginning to choose more of what they want, rather than what others are doing.”

“We’re beginning to see more sleek designs over the more furniture look in the past,” added one survey respondent. “Everything is very bright and airy in terms of color trends.”

As for bathroom storage, conventional linen storage cabinets and wood vanities remain popular, with more contemporary options such as floating vanities and open shelving growing in use.

Also prevalent in many bathroom designs is the addition of power outlets located directly in drawers or vanity cabinets to unobtrusively power blow dryers, curling irons, shavers, electric toothbrushes and more.

Whirlpools tubs are also fading in status. More than half of NKBA members responding said they eliminated a tub or whirlpool in a bathroom remodel over the course of the past year.

Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO, anticipates continuing to see fewer tubs and whirlpools in the next year. However, while whirlpool tubs are in decline, nearly half of survey respondents said that they specified a freestanding or soaking tub in the last year, and 60 percent expect to specify more of them in 2017.

Survey respondents also reported that the arena of safety and comfort comprises the most popular category of bathroom amenities, including: comfort height toilets/countertops, shower seats, lighting in showers and no-threshold showers.

“ADA-compliant features in master baths are not really new, but they are now trending so people can stay in their home as they age,” commented one respondent.

ABOUT THE SURVEY:

The 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey was fielded online to NKBA members during August 2016 and generated 562 responses that represent multiple industry segments from across North America. Findings represent the number of respondents who said they specified these colors, materials, product types and design for their kitchen and bath clients during 2016. It does not represent the market size for these categories. For a report detailing market size by product category, please refer to the NKBA Size of Industry Study, available at NKBA.org/research.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), as part of Design and Construction Week ® (DCW). With nearly 14,000 member companies representing tens of thousands of members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creations of certifications, marketplaces and networks. For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Bathrooms shown are in homes built or remodeled by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. Images are the property of Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc. and may not be used without written consent.